mtl008 Chapter 334 Pan Zhang's Heinous Acts
Chapter 334 Pan Zhang's Heinous Acts
Sun and Moon Lake, Pan Zhang's camp.
Ability and character are not closely related, and may even be inversely proportional. There are many people who are more capable but have worse character, and Pan Zhang is a typical example.
Pan Zhang was poor when he was young, but he picked up a lot of bad habits. He was naturally dissolute and loved to drink. He often bought wine on credit. Whenever creditors came to collect debts, he would say that he would pay them back when he became rich.
Listen to what people are saying! You think you can just give up your money if you don't become rich? Do you think you're Liu Bang?
After following Sun Quan and achieving meritorious service and promotion, Pan Zhang's evil deeds not only did not stop but became even more rampant. He was not only extravagant and greedy, but also set up military markets in the army and even robbed and killed wealthy soldiers to steal their property.
They even robbed their own soldiers of their money. Is this something a human being would do?
It's a miracle that Pan Zhang is still alive after acting like this.
This is why he was under Sun Quan's command. If he had joined Liu Bei or Cao Cao's forces, he would probably have been killed eight times over.
After being ordered by Lu Xun to garrison at Riyue Lake, Pan Zhang continued to do as he pleased. As soon as he settled in, he set up a military market on the shore of Riyue Lake and even built a ferry crossing on the shore of Poyang Lake, dispatching warships for transportation, and his business flourished.
That day, Pan Zhang, accompanied by his deputy Ma Zhong, came to the military market again. Looking at the endless stream of people and goods in the market, he couldn't stop smiling. Ignoring the crowds, he said to Ma Zhong without any hesitation, "These merchants are really rich. We'll find an opportunity to rob them all another day."
Ma Zhong was startled by his idea and quickly advised, "General, you mustn't do that. If we do it this way, no one will come to the market. Business should be done slowly and steadily, not by killing the goose that lays the golden eggs and draining the pond to catch all the fish."
You set up your own market to attract merchants, but instead of trying to operate, you want to wipe them all out. Do you really think merchants are all fools?
Pan Zhang casually replied, "Just in case. If Guan Xing really does infiltrate and attack us, and we are forced to relocate due to the needs of the war, these supplies cannot be left to Guan Xing; they must be packed up and taken away."
Ma Zhong: "..."
So that's what you were planning. You're really something else.
Knowing Pan Zhang's temperament, he dared not refute him and could only offer a forced smile and a compliment: "General, you are wise."
The two continued wandering around. Pan Zhang's eyes darted between the roadside vendors and supplies, pondering where to start. Just then, a personal guard rushed over and said, "General, something terrible has happened! The Grand Commander has sent a messenger with urgent military news to report to you. He needs to see you immediately."
Pan Zhang immediately turned from delight to anger, and sternly corrected him: "Grand Commander Lu, watch your words, you're always causing trouble."
Despite his displeasure, he knew that military matters came first, so he didn't dare to delay and turned back to the camp, with Ma Zhong following closely behind.
As soon as the two left, the merchants in the market breathed a collective sigh of relief, as if they had been freed from shackles, and began to chat quietly in small groups.
"That damned Pan Zhang, he's always staring at us like a hungry wolf. Does he really think we're working for him?"
“We can’t stay in the military market any longer. If we stay any longer, Pan Zhang might seize it one day. If that happens, we won’t be able to argue with him.”
“No, if we leave now, we’ll lose track of the goods. That’s a huge income, much more than we make selling them. Let’s do this: in the future, don’t bring any supplies to the military market. Just bring some samples. After the deal is done, we can arrange another transaction location with the buyer.”
Merchants are always quick to notice and know what kind of person Pan Zhang is. They still dare to come to the military market that Pan Zhang has set up, which shows that they have some confidence.
In addition to conducting normal business, many merchants also took on the business of selling information about Pan Zhang's army. Any information about Pan Zhang could be sold, but they did not know who the buyers were, only that someone was willing to pay a high price for it.
For businessmen, as long as they can make money, why bother with so much else?
While the merchants in the military market were figuring out how to smash Pan Zhang and sell it, Pan Zhang returned to the camp several miles away.
He went straight to the commander's tent upon entering the camp. As soon as he arrived outside the tent, he saw Lu Xun's messenger. After staring at him for a moment, he said in an unfriendly tone, "What did Grand Commander Lu send you here for?"
The messenger bowed and said, "Um, um, General, may I come into the tent to speak?"
Pan Zhang swaggered into the tent, while Ma Zhong lifted the tent flap to let the messenger in first.
Upon entering the commander's tent, the messenger immediately presented Lu Xun's handwritten letter. Ma Zhong took it and handed it to Pan Zhang. Pan Zhang unfolded it and his face turned pale. His eyes widened and his pupils contracted. Even his lips began to tremble involuntarily. As time went by, the trembling became more and more intense, until finally even his hands began to shake.
Ma Zhong was startled by his appearance and quickly ran behind him to check over his shoulder. After only a few glances, he showed the same expression as Pan Zhang.
The two remained in this state for a full quarter of an hour before Pan Zhang finally reacted, slamming his fist on the table and cursing, "Damn Lu Xun! He lost Han Dang, Xu Sheng, and 10,000 troops before even reaching Damo! How can he be a Grand Commander?"
Pan Zhang's tone was filled with extreme anger, mixed with a hint of fear that he himself was unaware of.
Pan Zhang was bad, but not good. He knew how outrageous his behavior was. He could continue to enjoy himself by following Sun Quan, but if Sun Quan was defeated and Guan Yu regained control of Jingzhou, given Guan Yu's character of hating evil and not tolerating injustice, he would probably drag him out and execute him in no time.
Oh, by the way, I heard that Guan Xing also invented a public trial method of punishment. If he were really dragged out for a public trial by Guan Xing, Pan Zhang felt it would be easier to just slit his own throat.
Ma Zhong exclaimed in equal horror, "Having killed two great generals, Han Dang and Xu Sheng, Guan Xing is too amazing! Is he Huo Qubing reincarnated?"
"General, according to the Grand Commander's analysis, Guan Xing has probably already infiltrated our ranks. Moreover, the scouts we sent to Linru were blocked at Xuemu Ridge, which proves that there is a powerful force in Xuemu Ridge that far surpasses the Shanyue. It is most likely Guan Xing's infiltrated army. What should we do now?"
Pan Zhang smiled bitterly, "What else can we do? Just stay in the camp as Commander Lu instructed. The Commander is right about one thing: we are no match for Guan Xing in guerrilla warfare in the mountains. There is no need to use our weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths. So let's pretend we don't see Guan Xing and stay in the camp. If Guan Xing has the ability, let him launch a strong attack on our camp. If he doesn't have the ability, let him stay in Xuemu Ridge. I want to see how long he can stay in that little bit of food and fodder?"
Pan Zhang had previously looked down on Guan Xing. He thought, "How much ability can a spoiled brat like you who killed a child by riding his horse have? You're just relying on your powerful father. Without your father Guan Yu, you're nothing."
Pan Zhang, who came from a poor family, looked down on the children of officials, thinking they were good for nothing except being born into wealth. But his opinion changed after Lu Xun's battle report arrived.
Guan Xing killed two generals, Han Dang and Xu Sheng, without his father's support. This is something that cannot be accomplished by relying on his father's legacy. It seems that Guan Xing has real talent and ability.
Therefore, Pan Zhang quickly adjusted his mindset, placed Guan Xing on the same level as himself, and began to analyze the situation. He concluded that Guan Xing had crossed the Wuyi Mountains. While people could cross mountains, food supplies could not. Therefore, Pan Zhang was certain that Guan Xing did not have much food, and that Guan Xing could not afford to fight a war of attrition.
Ma Zhong frowned and said, "Guan Xing could not possibly carry too much grain, but with the abundance of wild animals in the mountains and You Chong's support, he is unlikely to starve to death in a short time. Moreover, there are merchants. They are very likely to secretly support Guan Xing in order to avenge the White-Clad Crossing the River, helping him transport troops and grain and providing information."